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Shown here is the Gorgon 3A, one of a series of World War II-era air-to-air missiles developed by the U.S. Navy. It never became operational, but the Gorgon 3A served as a productive test vehicle that provided much information about the design, handling, and performance of guided missile technology.

Reaction Motors, Inc., a division of the Thiokol Chemical Corporation, built the engine, which burned for 130 seconds and produced 350 pounds of thrust. The propellant consisted of monoethyl-aniline and a mixture of sulfuric and nitric acid. The range of the Gorgon 3A was 12 miles at a maximum speed of 525 miles per hour. It carried a 257-pound fragmentation bomb, a television guidance system, and a homing device.

The U.S. Navy transferred this missile to the Museum in 1966.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date 1947 Country of Origin United States of America Type CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets Manufacturer Singer Manufacturing Company
 Dimensions Overall: 12 ft. 6 1/4 in. x 50 1/4 in. x 11 ft. x 50 1/4 in. (381.6 x 127.6 x 335.3 x 127.6cm)
 Materials Fuselage and wings entirely of wood, excluding steel screws and hinges for panels, internal pipe bracings for wings and fuselage interior; motor, non-ferrous metal, nozzle possibly of aluminum; interior also with wire bundles, with white plastic insulation.
Wood
Paint
Aluminum
Steel
Zinc Chromate
Stainless Steel
Plastic
Synthetic Rubber
Natural Fabric
CadmiumResin
 Inventory Number A19660027000 Credit Line U.S. Navy Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.